Henry Vs Winchester, who do you prefer for a modern lever rifle?
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
- Start date
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I've got a couple of Rossi's and they have been reliable and well made. I also have a Chiappa in 45-70 and I don't have a ton of rounds through it but I think it's probably somewhat inferior to the Rossi's.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Win 94 has been my preferred rifle over the yrs, followed by Rossi 92's and a few Marlins.
- Location
- Steel Town
Another vote for Henry. You need to own one to understand.
Winchester. I've never had to return a Winchester but I did have to return a Henry with subpar bluing and a wiggly stock. Winchester levers are made in the Miroku factory in japan. And boy do those Japanese make fine rifles, and shotguns. If you were going with a rimfire I'd probably suggest a Henry. But if your going for a center fire Henry's over all quality just isn't a match for what the Miroku plant is putting out for both Winchester and browning.
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
do you mean stricly new ? or are you looking at used models as well ?
the new miroku made winchesters have a very nice fit and finish as mentionned above. My only gripe about the trail's end takedown 3030 is that the wood might be the plainest I've ever seen on a production rifle. It looks like a broom handle. I've heard other people say the same of theirs. The rifle is extremely well assembled though.
Chiappa levers are of better quality than some of their other firearms from what I've seen. In a sample size of 4 chiappa alaskan scouts (2x357 and 2x44 mag) I have been impressed. That specific model at least had good fit and finish and has not had any issues so far (unlike the double badgers I've seen). I would highly recommend it, it's an insanly fun little rifle with the 12in barrel and pistol calibre. Downside is they are heavy.
If you aren't dead set on "classic" levers and want to buy new, I'm a huge fan of the browning BLR. Definitely splurge for the takedown version it makes it a lot easier to clean. Down side is you're not taking this rifle apart (beyond taking down a takedown version) in the field (Correction you're not putting it back together in the field). Drop in the mud of a river and it's pretty much game over. That being said I don't think I'd ever sell my 358 win or 450 marlin stainless takedown (I can't think of a better modern lever for $1500 or less). It's available in many common calibres, but not the really classic lever calibers: no 30-30, no 45-70 (though they do have 450 marlin), no pistol calibres.
Downsides: complex to put back together. so-so trigger.
the new miroku made winchesters have a very nice fit and finish as mentionned above. My only gripe about the trail's end takedown 3030 is that the wood might be the plainest I've ever seen on a production rifle. It looks like a broom handle. I've heard other people say the same of theirs. The rifle is extremely well assembled though.
Chiappa levers are of better quality than some of their other firearms from what I've seen. In a sample size of 4 chiappa alaskan scouts (2x357 and 2x44 mag) I have been impressed. That specific model at least had good fit and finish and has not had any issues so far (unlike the double badgers I've seen). I would highly recommend it, it's an insanly fun little rifle with the 12in barrel and pistol calibre. Downside is they are heavy.
If you aren't dead set on "classic" levers and want to buy new, I'm a huge fan of the browning BLR. Definitely splurge for the takedown version it makes it a lot easier to clean. Down side is you're not taking this rifle apart (beyond taking down a takedown version) in the field (Correction you're not putting it back together in the field). Drop in the mud of a river and it's pretty much game over. That being said I don't think I'd ever sell my 358 win or 450 marlin stainless takedown (I can't think of a better modern lever for $1500 or less). It's available in many common calibres, but not the really classic lever calibers: no 30-30, no 45-70 (though they do have 450 marlin), no pistol calibres.
Downsides: complex to put back together. so-so trigger.
I have a blr in 308. I've heard they are not easy to work on. Pros are smooth as butter and magazine fed. Easy to load and unload. Carries so nice. Another thing I heard is the bolt is luged and rotates into lock like a bolt action. Anyway I like mine
In comparison to the Winchesters and Henrys mentioned? It was a huge step forward. But the date is why I said maybe. - dan
My impression of the Miroku Winchesters is that they are excellent rifles and superior to a Henry, I have never owned a modern Winchester, just post 64 junk, I own a Henry 45/70 and I have owned Marlins, BLRs and Rossis, I will take the Henry over a Marlin or a Rossi but I am not willing to pay the price for a newer Winchester.
What's funny about those post 64's is that they are a better built rifles then the vast majority of modern push feed rifles. Besides a few things like pressed checkering, they are still better built then most of the bottom of the barrel in terms of cost to produce stuff being put out today. When we compare them to CRF model 70's they aren't in the same league. If you compare them to other push feeds of the time, and of today. They are a far better rifle in terms of quality. Winchester really should of just called it a different rifle. It probably would of made it sell way better.
I owned a Henry Big Boy Steel side gate, and handled many others including X model, and the case hardened octagon barrel as well.
Action: opening and closing the lever action on Henry / Marlin guns (I also owned a Marlin 1894), can just never be as naturally smooth as the Winchester 1892 without a ton of work. The lever on the Big Boy Steel I got was very stiff. The plunger spring needed a good push on the lever to release. Nothing dramatic I mean, but it was clear to me why Henrys aren’t typical in fast lever applications like cowboy action shooting. I am sure you could fix that by opening and closing the lever a million times, polishing all the internals and also trimming the plunger and hammer springs. But that opens up a whole can of worms that I suspect many would not want to entertain.
My 92 on the other hand you can open the action literally with your pinky finger. No modifications were done to the internals of the action. No polishing or greasing anything. The way the parts go together just creates a smoother lever experience which is what I suspect many use to favor Winchester over Henry. I have found all 1892 manufacturers: Rossi, Chiappa, Browning, Mirokou, to all have smoother actions than Henry. Again this is not a bash on Henry, I do like those guns. It’s just how they’re designed.
Fit and Finish is no question Winchesters will be superior. My big boy steel had a “meh” wood to metal fit, that had a couple spots here and there that were off by a few mm. My 1892 wood to metal fit is very close to perfect. My Marlin was nicer than my Henry in this department as well. I’m talking minor differences here fellas, but they are differences nonetheless.
Shooting wise: either gun is accurate to shoot but the 92 lever experience is more satisfying. Winchester all the way.
Action: opening and closing the lever action on Henry / Marlin guns (I also owned a Marlin 1894), can just never be as naturally smooth as the Winchester 1892 without a ton of work. The lever on the Big Boy Steel I got was very stiff. The plunger spring needed a good push on the lever to release. Nothing dramatic I mean, but it was clear to me why Henrys aren’t typical in fast lever applications like cowboy action shooting. I am sure you could fix that by opening and closing the lever a million times, polishing all the internals and also trimming the plunger and hammer springs. But that opens up a whole can of worms that I suspect many would not want to entertain.
My 92 on the other hand you can open the action literally with your pinky finger. No modifications were done to the internals of the action. No polishing or greasing anything. The way the parts go together just creates a smoother lever experience which is what I suspect many use to favor Winchester over Henry. I have found all 1892 manufacturers: Rossi, Chiappa, Browning, Mirokou, to all have smoother actions than Henry. Again this is not a bash on Henry, I do like those guns. It’s just how they’re designed.
Fit and Finish is no question Winchesters will be superior. My big boy steel had a “meh” wood to metal fit, that had a couple spots here and there that were off by a few mm. My 1892 wood to metal fit is very close to perfect. My Marlin was nicer than my Henry in this department as well. I’m talking minor differences here fellas, but they are differences nonetheless.
Shooting wise: either gun is accurate to shoot but the 92 lever experience is more satisfying. Winchester all the way.
- Location
- Steel Town
"A few mm"? That's a huge gap. Post pics, I'd like to see that.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Henry’s have always felt just like Chiappa’s to me. I have revisited them once or twice trying to warm up to them, but it hasn’t taken. The Japanese (Miroku) Winchesters are extremely well made guns, as good as you’ll get for the money across all the current hunting rifles of any action design.
I’d put them in the same shelf as Ruger No.1s, “production premium”.
I’d put them in the same shelf as Ruger No.1s, “production premium”.
